Furniture Flip: How to Refurbish & Restore Old Furniture

Looking to update the decor in your apartment or house? Not sure if you should fork over a big amount for new furniture? We have the solution to both these concerns.

Many of us get sick and tired of looking at the same stuff in our homes everyday for years. What we don’t realize is that, while our furniture may not be easy on the eyes anymore, some of it is still functional; which is why we suggest trying to see your furniture in a new light.

Don’t give up on that stained coffee table just yet. Here’s a list of items you can refurbish and restore within the comfort of your own home.

Side Table: This is something you either already own, or you may have come across one at a thrift shop that’s a little rough around the edges. Either way, a wooden side table is an easy and fun house piece to refresh. Start off by cleaning it, then proceed to spraying an even coat of primer 12 inches from the surface. Continue by sanding it and then paint it whichever color you like. You can also add texture by gluing wood accents for some life.

Dresser: Our next tip is simple, but extremely effective. You can either renew an old dresser by painting it the same way you would the side table, or by replacing its handles. You can shop for the handles of your choice at any supply or furniture store. Simply unscrew the ones you currently have and replace them with your preferred choice, and voila! It’ll look as good as new.

Bar Stools: Sticking to the painting theme, this next tip touches more on style. Experiment with some metallic paint and mix a couple of colors together to go from boring to trendy in just a few swipes. A gold or silver mixed with another vibrant color can do no harm. It’s extremely inexpensive and takes no time.

Coffee Table: Bring an old and frail coffee table back to life without a lot of effort required. If you own a wooden one, all you have to do is sand it and brush over it with a stain. It gives it a rustic feel without the added pressure of having to paint every inch of it.

Couch: Revitalize your adored couch with a couple of easy steps. If the fabric covering your couch has held up its fair share of wear and tear over the years and the spring inside isn’t as sprung as it once was, don’t lose all hope! A lot of people don’t know that you can replace the foam or spring of your couch, and order new fabric to replace the old. It saves you money and you won’t have to part with your tried and true couch.

Shelves: Own a boring set of wooden shelves? While they’re handy in that they hold all your things, they’re not necessarily the prettiest to look at. This is an easy fix, as easy as peeling and pasting. You can purchase marble contact paper (or any other pattern you like) either in select store or online, and it’s just like a giant sticker that covers your furniture. Turns shelves from cheap to chic in seconds!

We hope at least one of these tips suits your needs. Not only will you end up saving money, but you can also make a fun family activity out of it. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.

Growing up in a city that’s always warm (literally and figuratively), Serene left Dubai at the frail age of 17 to attend York University in Toronto. Fast forward six years, and she is now part of the uncertain, but never dull, world of Advertising Copywriting. Flipping through old print ads is one of her favourite pastimes, and she could never tire of Seinfeld reruns. She also loves to sing, try new foods and spend time with her friends (particularly if they have a pug). Everything mentioned only takes place after a cup of coffee.

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